As the years went by the Halyard king became increasingly more developed as different uses and synergy of elemental powers were discovered. This also solidified a concrete power scaling based on levels, stats, and quality/quantity of mana that a being had. Levels help determine quantity of health and mana while the stats determined the quality of health and mana. This could cause blurred areas in between levels such as a peak stat level one could match a mid-stat level two in the quality of their health and mana. But skills and experience would usually even out those differences.
In Furyan society, everyone was a warrior first since mana lead to danger being a constant in this world. The guards could only protect weaker citizens up to a certain point before it weaken the overall strength of the kingdom weakened. The constant threat of death lingers in all of the citizens minds forcing their culture to promote strength. Those that lived long enough could bring generational wealth and strength to their families. This was emphasized by the many warriors who created a name for themselves after graduation from the academy. All strive to be a part of the top families in the kingdom. This provided a constant need to grow stronger for their warrior society.
Those who couldn't excel at fighting could still raise their status by becoming pioneers in areas that were necessary in day-to-day life. Farmers who excelled at bringing the best out of crops, blacksmiths who were unmatched at creating or repairing armor and blades, construction workers who were unrivaled at building homes, defense walls, amongst other things. They were all invited to prove their uniqueness making this an important opportunity to prove your worth to the society. Those seen as irreplaceable would battle in their area of expertise against others for the crown in said event and leading to fierce competition for the grand prizes.
As with all civilizations, there were those who couldn't leave the bottom of the totem pole. Those that committed crimes, had unfortunate events happen, or were too weak to protect themselves lived in the slums of the kingdom. This was where those who were consider trash lived. Most could survive by doing basic jobs to earn money for basic living expenses. They were the most desperate for the strength to change their situation.
In a small shack, a 15-year-old girl was being drilled by her father as she sat on the ground practicing her mana control. She sat there every day after school focusing on moving her mana through her body since her family had a disfunction that caused them to be unable to project their mana. Ria was her name from the might family, former personal guards for the king. that was until an ancestor died in a fight against the previous blessed beast to protect the citizens. His enemies had bullied the family until it was nearly impossible for that lineage would reach that height of power ever again.
Ria and her father Rio were more than desperate to reclaim their family's honor. This was why Ria was using the mana trapped in her body to push her physical resistance and mental resistance stats to boast the quality of her health and mana until she ran out of mana. She then would start her strength training followed by stamina/speed training. Repeating the cycle, only stopping to eat the little scraps for dinner followed by a night's rest.
Waking up in the morning Ria made her way to school without breakfast since it was better for her dad to eat more than her. Making it to school she was excited because today was the day. She could finally prove her worth to the kingdom and possibly earn some money for her family. The practice battles against the captured beast were today and due to last night's training, she had finally reached peak level 2.
After last night's training her stats were
Name: Ria Might
Stat:
Level: 2
Experience: 200/200
Health: 112/112 Condition: Healthy
Mana: 70/70
Strength: 15
Speed: 10
Stamina: 15
agility: 25
Intelligence: 15
Physical Resistance: 20
Mental Resistance: 20
Element: Fire
Skill: Mana shell (Passive)
While most of her Peers had higher mana-based stats. Hers had to be more tailored to physical-based stats because the mana shell skill. Meaning her body had to be a vessel capable of containing her mana. Putting those thoughts in the back of her mind, she focused on the long walk to school along with the other slum kids. During the walk, their group started to meet up with the other student that went to her school.
Being an outcast because of her families fall from grace she walked to school silently by herself. Only thinking about the accomplishment of becoming the first peak level 2 student in class. This moment became bittersweet, and she thought about all her family had lost. Arriving at the massive school that contained 4 different subject matters and 10 classes per subject.
The school also contain 5 large training fields, a beast facility, and different staff facilities that add to its size. Walking through the school Ria made to her class known as class 10C for the 10 class of third year students. Their instructor Mr. canty stood in front of the classroom making sure every student arrived in class. He then began his lecture that preceded the practice battles.
"Today class you'll face level one beast for the first time. Remember, a beast is physically stronger than a mage of the same level. So, be careful and make sure that you use your intellect to overcome your deficiencies." said Mr. canty.
"Good luck, Ria", Matt Barq, the kid with the most powerful family in her class, spoke up openly mocking her.
—————————————————————————— In the Beast God's domain, Rapt could be seen tensing up as his mind went through the third trial. The trial of character tested one by forcing them to become one with they are at their core. In Rapt's mind he saw the little experiences that he had again and again. He watched his demise feeling a multitude of emotions with the main ones being helplessness, weakness, and inspiration. Rapt could only think,' I'm a weak and ignorant beast with great potential. While I'm at the bottom I can achieve greatness if I obtain enough knowledge and strength. I never wish to feel that helpless ever again'. Not knowing that this was a trial, Rapt continue to see the same experiences. Each time he would draw on new inferences about who and what he was.
He would see his mother's corpse and noticed the difference in their size. He would see all the sibling that never hatched. He would see the other beast that killed him and compared its size to his. He would feel the pain of being squashed. These things showed the suffering that weakness brought.
He would see his new life starting and his arrival here. The growth from every battle and the knowledge he gained each time he talked to the Lord and other Blessed. Breaking down each word and there meaning improved with understanding and comprehension of the conversations. He watched endlessly until each moment was fused with his core.
"I am simply a beast that can only stay true to myself and my desires. Weak i am and strength I desire. I am an empty vessel with the unlimited potential. Through pain and struggles I can gain what I desire." Rapt suddenly said, unknowingly passing the third trial.
Rapt noticed that after he finished that the replay of his life stopped. It was replaced with darkness all around him for as far as he could see. This scene with on for an unknown amount of time until a change occurred.
An unknown voice spoke out to him, "what do you truly desire?"
"The strength to survive." Rapt answered easily.
"What are you willing to give for the strength you wish to acquire?", The voice continued.
"I would give my all"
"After obtaining the strength you seek, what would have after you have given your all for it?"
This question caused Rapt to pause as he honestly didn't know what would come after securing his chance of survival. He knew nothing outside of the want to continue growing and surviving. All the conviction and confidence of his previous answers and statement felt hollow. Seeming to sense his wavering feelings about who he was and what he truly desired the voice continued.
"Again, what is it you truly desire?"
"I desire to learn, grow, and live."
"What are you willing to give for those desires?"
"My pain, suffering, and regrets."
"After gaining what you seek, what will you have after you have obtained it?"
"The experiences of living a fulfilling life."
"What about those who seek to hinder your path?"
"I will give them share of my pain, suffering, and regrets"
"What about those of on the same path with you?"
"I will share with them my experiences of what I've learned and my growth"
Again, Rapt had passed a trial without knowing. Soon Rapt saw changes in the dark void where he stood alone. First his sense of smell returned followed slowly by his hearing.
'I know this smell and these sounds' he thought.
His sense of touch came next along with his taste.
'This soft feeling and this taste Rapt'
Finally, his vision started to return hurting his eyes.
Slowly Rapt began to stand trying to regain familiarity with his body as it felt like it was still asleep. Once standing Rapt noticed that he was still in Lord Bados domain, specifically the forest that resides in the domain. Looking down at his body as he remembered the fight that he had, he saw that all of his wounds had been healed without leaving a scar.
"Finally, your awake weakling" Rapt heard coming from his right. Turning his head, he saw Trench standing there alone. Locking eyes with Rapt, Trench continued to speak," trial 2 is still pending. So, check your stats before we start it again"